Context:

The Jammu & Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) has launched the ‘Digital Tree Aadhar’ initiative for the conservation of Chinar trees.

Digital Tree Aadhar Initiative

Similar to the Aadhar number, this initiative provides a unique number for each tree called Tree Aadhaar. 

Under the initiatives, metal cards featuring barcodes provide information, including the tree’s location, height, and health.

This initiative uses QR codes and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to monitor chinar trees’ health and location.

• GIS is a computer system that analyzes and displays geographically referenced information.

This new initiative also involves conducting a census of chinar trees across the Kashmir valley and the Chenab region.

Chinars Tree (Plantus Orientalis) 

• In Persian “Che-Naar Ast?” which means “What flame it is?”. It is s from this question that the royal tree got its name, CHINAR, and is believed to have been given by Mughal emperor Jahangir.  
• Locally, it is also known as buen.
• Characteristics: During the summer season, the chinar tree’s leaves are deep green. But, as the autumn season sets in, the leaves change colour to a beautiful blood-red, amber and yellow.

• It is a maple-like tree with a huge canopy and is found in cool climate regions with sufficient water.
• It can grow up to a height of 30 meters and a girth exceeding 12 meters.
• It takes around 30 to 50 years for the trees to reach their mature height and around 150 years to grow to their full size.
• Its leaves and bark are used as medicine, wood is used for furniture and the twigs & roots are used for making dyes.
• Kashmir was home to around 40,000 chinar trees but the numbers are falling steadily.
• Ganderbal district has the highest number of chinar trees, including the world’s third-largest chinar.
• Kashmir Valley is home to the World’s oldest Chinar tree, which is believed to be 647 years old and is located in Chattergam village of Budgam District and was planted by a Sufi saint Syed Qasim Shah.

Government Initiative for Chinar Tree Protection

• Chinar is the “state tree” of Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union territory) and has been declared the National Property of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. 
• The government has issued a ban on cutting and felling of the Chinar trees, and thus government’s nod is needed, even if the tree is on someone’s private property.